Garbage collection headaches continue; solutions in progress

Trash is piled up in front of a Commerce Township resident last week. Republic Waste Services has missed many trash pick ups due to internal worker shortages and other operational problems.

Frustrations about lack of consistent garbage pickup were voiced by Commerce Township residents during the regular monthly board meeting held on January 8.

Homeowners have been angry about the current waste pickup company Republic Waste Services not doing pickup on time, and in many instances totally missing scheduled trash pickups.

Supervisor David Scott was sympathetic to everyone that spoke during the public comment period, reiterating that the township is working with Republic to find solutions and to improve service for everyone.

“We held back the (Republic) December payment because we felt our concerns weren’t being addressed. The delay in paying them was meant to get their attention, and it has,” stated Scott. “Republic is not fulfilling their part of the contract, so we are in the process of soliciting other bids to serve the needs of Commerce Township.”

“Commerce Township is the farthest west community that Republic serves and they have a shortage of trucks and finding workers. Our residents are immensely frustrated with Republic’s customer service. They have failed us in epic proportions. We pass along each call we take in the offices here to someone at Republic,” Scott said in answer to a resident who spoke wanting to know what was being done to fix the garbage pickup problems. “We’re fighting with them diligently to get them to honor the contract they have with us.”

After the board meeting, Scott told the Spinal Column Newsweekly that Commerce Township has made several operational suggestions to Republic that the company is implementing that will hopefully improve service.